News

This fall, the Indigenous Sport, Physical Activity & Recreation Council (I·SPARC) is conducting a province-wide engagement process that will result in a renewed provincial strategy for Indigenous sport, physical activity and recreation in BC. These Regional Engagement Sessions provide a critical forum for individuals, community leaders, organizations and stakeholders working in the areas of sport, recreation, physical activity, health, education, and youth programming. We invite you to come and lend your voice at one of our six regional sessions and help build a new vision for...

Are you wondering if changing your running technique can help with injuries? You’re not alone! This is definitely one of the most popular questions in the running community. If your hips, knees or shins have been bothering you for a while, perhaps modifying how you run can help ease the pain. Some tweaks may also help novice runners reduce injury risk, and make competitive runners cross the finish line faster. This post explains why cadence, impact and foot strike pattern are important when it comes to running technique. Cadence Cadence is the number of steps you are taking per minute...

Interested in hosting a 2019 SportMedBC InTraining Program and helping participants reach their Vancouver Sun Run goals? SportMedBC’s InTraining Program will help runners and walkers of any ability reach their fitness & health goals in a safe and supportive environment! The 13-week program, designed by RunWalk Coach, Olympian Lynn Kanuka, will gradually develop participants’ strength & stamina so that they can train injury-free for the 2019 Vancouver Sun Run. If you have a consistent meeting spot available, and 1-2 experienced runners/walkers who are willing to lead the...

Cyclists from around the world braved the elements to complete the ninth edition of the RBC GranFondo Whistler this past weekend. Voted North America’s Best Gran Fondo, this year again lived up to expectations with over 4,500 riders making the 122km trek from Stanley Park to Whistler along the iconic Sea to Sky Highway. The event had a true West Coast feel with spurts of sunshine, fog, wind, and (naturally) a little rain! Luckily, nothing could dampen the spirits of riders who celebrated their achievement with an after party in Whistler Plaza and musical performance by Nearly Neil and...

The Indigenous Sport, Physical Activity and Recreation Council is pleased to announce that registration will open on August 27 th for the 2018 Regional Leader Training Sessions (RTS), offered through the Aboriginal Healthy Living Activities (AHLA), in partnership with SportMedBC . The RTS are offered to individuals working within, or representing an Indigenous community, who are committed to delivering a healthy living program under the Aboriginal RunWalk or Honour Your Health Challenge . The sessions are designed to bring together community leaders and individuals who are passionate about...

SportMedBC is excited to announce the launch of our LearnToRun10K Program this fall at the Hastings Community Centre! It's the same LearnToRun10K Program you know from InTraining.... but with a little less ice & snow! This is a perfect way to get back into running after summer holidays and set yourself up for success with the 2019 Vancouver Sun Run InTraining program in January. If you have always wanted to start running, this is the program for you. Not only will you learn the skills & techniques to run injury-free, but you’ll be training with a group of awesome people...

SportMedBC is proud to announce the creation of a new manager position to support the HealthBeat Program. As the program has grown and evolved, the need for a full-time dedicated staff member to manage its increasing responsibilties became apparent. Amanda de Faye, who has worked with the ARW program for the last two years as the program coordinator, and more recently the acting program manager covering a maternity leave, will assume the role of HealthBeat Manager. “Amanda has been an integral part of developing and expanding the HealthBeat program,” says Susan Nguyen, Aboriginal...

DUNCAN – More than 2,000 of the province’s best young athletes are arriving in the Cowichan Valley for the opening of the 2018 BC Summer Games, and the chance to compete for glory in 18 sports. “Like British Columbians all over the province, I’m inspired by the athletes participating in the Summer Games. I am especially happy to see more First Nations athletes in this year’s Games,” said Lisa Beare, Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture. “Along with medals and personal bests, competitors will leave the Games with new friendships and new experiences...

National Indigenous Peoples Day is a day recognizing and celebrating the cultures and contributions of the First Nations, Inuit and Métis Indigenous peoples in Canada. On June 21, 2018, SportMedBC joined Seabird Island Health and Seabird Island School in celebrating the day with a “Run The Lagoon” RunWalk event at Rendall Park in Harrison Hot Springs, followed by a canoe gathering and Slahal Games to complete the day. Staff at SportMedBC provided onsite assistance with safety and injury prevention, refreshments, water stations and prizes. The “Run the Lagoon” event...

One of the founding fathers of sport medicine in Canada, Dr. Jack Taunton, has received another great honour, this time from the Canadian Academy of Sport & Exercise Medicine. Dr. Taunton was presented with the Medal of Service award during CASEM’s Annual General Meeting this month in Halifax, NS. This new award recognizes individuals who have made an exceptional and outstanding contribution to the advancement of sport and exercise medicine in Canada. The award is granted in recognition of: • Service to their profession in the field of event planning, event and/or team coverage...